Newsletter | Issue 3 | October 2024 Hallo Everyone! I often ask myself: What makes our Faculty tick and how can we do even better? The answer is always clear – It’s all down to our staff. I would like to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to all the remarkable staff of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. This last Newsletter of the year gives a glimpse of the diverse range of activities and accomplishments in the Faculty over the past three months. The highlights that could be covered range from groundbreaking research in water sustainability, green hydrogen, and marine science to student involvement in community outreach projects and academic competitions.
This issue also pays tribute to the contribution of our women counterparts in our achievements and activities. Women constitute the majority of our students and staff in the Faculty and are central to all our achievements, be it in Learning & Teaching, Research, Community Engagement, or Leadership. In this particular Newsletter, the majority of articles and activities have come from our women staff, underlining their key influence in this Faculty. I would like to thank the incredible women of Applied Sciences for the great work that you do.
Together as a Faculty we have continued to make a positive impact both within and beyond CPUT. This is important if we are to achieve our vision of being a leading Faculty of Applied Sciences in Africa and beyond, seeking to build a better world for humanity. In that respect, our launch of the CPUT Fair Future (CPUTFF) initiative, led by the Department of Agriculture with the aim of promoting fair trade and sustainable development, is a major highlight. The initiative is supported by World Fair Trade Africa & Middle East (WFTO AME). This is the regional network for the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), making us a pioneering Fair Trade campus. The Dean, Prof Joseph Kioko, signs the Fair Trade Pledge during the launch of the CPUT Fair Future Initiative. He is flanked by Ms Musa Mpofu (Project Officer: WFTO Africa & Middle East), and staff from the Department of Agriculture: Ms Nonkululeko Mfeka, Prof Morris Fanadzo and Dr Hanle Theron.
In addition, the Faculty played a key role in successfully hosting the Eighth International Conference of the U6+ Consortium of African Universities (10-12 September), which was attended by about 150 delegates from 22 Institutions from 5 countries. The conference brought together diverse experts from across the African continent who engaged in seeking solutions to sustainable development and transformation. As we head towards the end of the year, I would like to wish our students all the best for their final assessments. To staff members, this is a critical part of the academic season and I have every confidence that you will see it through successfully. All the best!
Reflecting on the past year, the Faculty Newsletters have served as a reminder of the powerful role our Faculty plays in shaping future leaders and innovators. Your hard work, commitment and collaboration are the driving force behind our success, and it is through your tireless efforts that we continue to grow, innovate, and inspire. Thank you for the positive impact you make every day. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence! Prof Joseph I Kioko Dean: Faculty of Applied Sciences CPUT